Writing instrument



Oct. 3, 1967 N. A. ZEPELL E 3,344,484

WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed sept. 24, 1964 s sheet -she t 1 INVENTOR.NATHAN AZEPELL DONALD P GROVE/5 Oct. 3, 1967 N. A. ZEPELL ETAL WRITINGINSTRUMENT Filed Sept 24, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS NATHANAZEPELLBY DONALDP.

OVER

Oct. 3, 1967 ZEPELL -ET AL ,WRITING INSTRUMENT 3 Sheets-She t 5INVENTORS. NATHAN AZEPELL United States Patent 3,344,484 WRITINGINSTRUMENT Nathan A. Zepell, Marina City, 300 N. State, Chicago,

Ill. 60610, and Donald P. Grover, Chicago, 111., assignors, by directand mesne assignments, to said Nathan A. Zepell, Chicago, Ill. FiledSept. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 398,941

Claims. (Cl. 24-11) This invention relates to writing instruments,especially ball-point pens, and more particularly relates to suchinstruments of the type wherein protraction and retraction of thewriting point is accomplished by rockable movement of the clip member ofsuch instruments. 7 I As is well known, most ball-point pens have aprotracting and retracting mechanism which involves the use of a pushbutton positioned at the top of the cap thereof. In recent years therehave been development whereby the movement of the writing point of suchdevices into the writing position and the retraction thereof isaccomplished by rockable or pivotal movement of the pen clip memher. Forthe latter the readers attention is invited to United States LettersPatent Numbers 2,881,736 and 3,075,496 which relate to inventions madeby one of the present applicants.

As a further improvement in said art of clip-etfectuated protraction andretraction co-inventor Zepell hereof invented a hinged mechanismcoacting with the pen clip bead, an invention which forms the subjectmatter of the co-pending application Ser. No. 284,432, now Patent No.3,200,792 issued Aug. 17, 1965. From the description that follows itwill be seen that the present invention, in some of its aspects, isdirected to certain improvements made in the device which is disclosedin said referenced pending application.

Accordingly, a primary object of our invention is to provide an improvedwriting instrument, particularly a ball-point pen, wherein protractionand retraction of the 'writing point thereof is accomplished by rockablemovement of the pocket clip of such instrument, and wherein said clip ismounted as hereinafter described.

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel pocket clip forclip-actuated writing instruments.

A further object of our invention is to providea novel means of mountinga rockably mounted clip onto the cap of a writing instrument.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a hinged insertmember in the bore of a writing instrument in order to fabricate areadily made and assembled clipactuated writing instrument.

These and other objects, features and advantages of our invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detaileddescription thereof and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1' is a longitudinal sectional side view illustreating aclip-actuated ball-point pen with the point in the retracted position;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pen shown in FIGURE 1with the point in the protracted or exposed position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a novel writing in- 3,344,484 PatentedOct. 3, 1967 FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 ofFIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper portionof still another embodiment of a writing instrument made in accordancewith the present teachln s;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper portionof yet another embodiment of a writing instrument made in accordancewith the present teachin s;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the mid-portion ofanother embodiment of a writing instrument made in accordance with thepresent teachings;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the mid-portion ofanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper portionof another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view along lines 13-13 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the mid-portion ofanother embodiment hereof;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a the upperportion of still' another embodiment of the present writing instrumentwith the writing point assembly in the retracted position;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the mid-portion ofthe writing instrument shown in FIG- URE 15 with the writing assembly inthe protracted position; and

FIGURE 17 is a cross-sectional view along lines 17-17 of FIGURE 15.

The preferred embodiment of our invention is shown in FIGURES 1 through5 hereof and reference should next be made to such drawings.

There is shown an elongated, hollow writing instrument 21, namely aball-point pen having an opening 22 at one end thereof, such end beingreferred to as the lower end of such writing instrument in thedescription which follows. An elongated writing assembly 23 is disposedwithin the hollow confines or chamber 24 of the instrument 21 and ismovable therein between the retracted position shown in FIGURE 1 and theprotracted position shown in FIGURE 2.

The writing assembly 23 may be of a variety of constructions to utilizeeither for example pencil lead or ink as the writing media. While in thedrawings a ball-point penis illustrated other types of writing devicesmay also be similarly constructed. Included is an elongated cylindricalink reservoir 25 having a tapered lower end portion 26. Extendingdownwardly from said portion 26 is a tube 27 which terminates in alesser diameter tube 28 in which the writing ball 29 is rotatably held.The tube 28 is crimped at its lower end to form a socket to hold theball. Such writing assembly is substantially the same as conventionalunits of this nature which are commercially available. It is noted thatthe top of the ink reservoir 25 presents a flat surface 30 and that thelength of such reservoir is so adjusted to have such flat surface lie inregister with the assembly protraction means as hereinafter described.As shown in the drawing the top 30 of the ink cartridge as it iscommonly referred to, in the preferred embodiment hereof presents aflattened face. It should be understood that such surface need not beflat: all that is really required is that an upper surface of variousconfigurations be presented which can coact with the hinge member 46 assubsequently described.

The writing instrument 21 has three main structural members in additionto the writing assembly 23. These include a barrel 31, a cap 32 and theclip 33. The barrel tapers downwardly to provide a conveniently heldwriting instrument of more or less conventional shape and as shown inFIGURES 1 and 2 is threadedly engaged with the cap for ready opening ofthe writing insrtument to, for example, replace the writing assemblywhen the ink supply thereof has been exhausted. The drawings illustratemating threads 34 in the area of barrel-cap interconnection with afemale portion on the cap and a male portion on the barrel.

The barrel 31 has an annular shoulder 35 formed internally therein toprovide a stop means for the biasing spring 36. As the writing assemblyis pushed into the point exposed or writing position, as hereinafterdescribed, the spring 36 is compressed (as shown in FIGURE 2) betweenthe lower surface 26 of ink reservoir 25 and the annular shoulder 35.Such spring serves to retract the writing assembly when such action isrequired and to take part in locking the assembly in the writingposition. The barrel is also constructed with a lower tapered annularshoulder 37 which acts as a guide for tube 28. This completes thestructure of the barrel insofar as the preferred embodiment isconcerned. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that theforegoing describes a conventional barrel.

The cap 32 is so constructed as to hold and permit the rockable actionof the clip 33. As shown in FIGURES 1 to 4 the cap is hollow and has acentral bore 39. Although, as shown in our preferred embodiment thewriting insrtument is circular in cross-section the wall portions ofsaid cap are not made of equal circumferential thickness. The wallportion 40 on the clip side of the cap is considerably thickened whencompared with the wall portion 41 on the opposed side thereof. Thisconstruction among other things enhances the strength of the cap, buteven more importantly such a structure permits the cap and its workingcomponent to be molded in one piece rather than a plurality of partswhich would require separate assembly. The cap presents a flattened topsurface 42 below which on the clip side thereof is a cavity 43 so madeas to receive the upper portion 44 of the clip. Immediately below saidcavity 43 there is formed on the cap 32 a rounded clip mounting member45 upon which the clip is rockably attached. Further down on the clipside there is provided a hinge member 46 which coacts with the clip tocause protraction of the writing assembly 23. The wall area of the capon the clip side running from the mating threads 34 into the point offiexure of said hinge member 46 (denoted by the numeral 47) isconsiderably thinner than its counterpart above the hinge member. In ourpreferred embodiment such hinge member 46 is constructed as an integral,unitary part of the cap wall portion 47 and in order to assist inpermitting the hinge to rotate between the two positions illustrated inFIGURES 1 and 2 we provide a small niche 48 in the wall 47 just belowthe hinge. .It is at such niche about which said hinge pivots inwardlyand downwardly upon the urging of the clip bead.

In order to better understand the structure of the cap and clip theoperations of protraction and retraction of the writing instrumentshould be briefly considered at this point. The clip 33 is made with abead 49 on its lower end. The various components of the present writinginstruments are so made and adjusted that movement inwardly of the bead49, as by finger pressure causes protraction of the writing point 29. Asthe bead moves inwardly to press against the wall defining portion 50 onthe hinge member 46 the latter is caused to rotate downwardly. As suchrotation occurs, the writing assembly, whose top surface 30 is inengagement with the underside of the hinge, is forced downwardly. Fullinsertion of the bead 49, as shown in FIGURE 2, locks the writinginstrument in the writing position until the bead is positivelywithdrawn to the position shown in FIGURE 1. To accomplish suchwithdrawal the clip is pressed inwardly in the area of its upper portion44.

The clip 33 is preferably fabricated in the shape illustrated in FIGUREfrom sheet metal, as by stamping or the like. It may also be molded ofplastic. Such clip, essentially, is in the form of a pivot arm with thefulcrum being positioned between the bead 49 and the upper portion 44. Arelatively long arm 52, generally U-shaped in cross-section, joins thehead to the fulcrum area. The face 53 of the clip presents a smooth,slightly curved surface to the user of the Writing instrument. The bead49 has a flattened bottom surface 54 and (when considered from itsposition on the pen) an inwardly directed upper surface 55 which curvesto join the clip side Walls 56 at their lower portion of the arm 52. Forits entire length the clip has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectionwith there being substantially right angles at the area of juncturebetween the clip side walls 56 to the face 53 thereof.

The clip is attached to and rockably mounted on the cap 32 by means of apair of annular cutting dimples 51 which act as the clip fulcrum. Suchdimples extend inwardly from the paired clip lugs 57. The dimples cutinto and remain in place on the mount. In the preferred embodimenthereof, particularly as shown in FIGURE 4, such dimples are forced intothe lateral surfaces of the clip mounting member 45 integral with thecap with such fit permitting rockable motion of the clip. The mountingmeans and for that matter the entire cap is preferably made of a plasticmaterial such as polypropylene. Such material is readily cut by andtakes the impression of the tooth-edged cutting dimples 51.

In the preferred embodiment hereof the clip is mounted by means of theaforesaid cutting dimples. Alternatively it is possible to provideappropriate recesses on the clip mounting member to receive by press-fitannular dimples which are not required to cut into said member. Or anaxle member can be used.

The clip mounting member 45 consists of a rounded knob formed on thecap, preferably as an integral portion thereof, which is of such widthas to receive on its lateral surfaces the locking lugs 57 and to bepenetrated by the locking dimples 51. Externally the knob has a roundedsurface over which the inner back surface of the clip in the area of thelugs 57 is free to glide and rock.

In FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 the lugs 57 on the clip are made with adequateseparation between each other to fit on the lateral external surfaces ofthe clip mounting member 45. It should be apparent to those skilled inthis art that instead of a solid knob, the mounting member 45 may befabricated as a pair of rounded wings extending from the cap in the samemanner as the knob aforesaid. In this latter instance the lugs anddimples are separated far enough to fit within the lateral confines ofthe wings in which case the locking dimples 51 extend laterally outwardrather than inwardly as is shown in FIGURE 4. Her; likewise thealternative mounting means may be use In the writing instruments made inaccordance with the teachings of our invention the clip 33 serves notonly as a means to attach the device to a free pocket edgethe usualfunction of such clipsbut also in conjunction with the hinge member 46to protract, retract and lock the writing assembly 23 in the writingposition. With the foregoing discussion of the rockable mounting, thecoact1on of the bead 49, and the hinge member 46 one can readilyenvision the point protracting mechanism of the present devices. Inorder to consider the function and structure of the clip for bothretraction of the point and usual clipping purposes, reference shouldnext be had to the upper portion of such clip as shown in FIGURES 1through 5.

In order to attach the writing instrument, for example onto apocket-free edge by means of the clip it is necessary to cause someseparation, depending on the thickness of the intervening material,between the head 49 and the wall portion 50 on the cap 32. After thematerial has been inserted the bead must spring back to positively pressagainst such inserted material and the wall portion 50 to hold thewriting instrument in place in the users pocket. This means that theremust be a certain degree of resiliency in the clip for clipping actionto be achieved. At the same time, in fabricating the present devices thespringiness of the clip must not overpower the hinge member 46 to causethe latter to move inwardly and downwardly without there being adefinite impression inwardly upon the bead 49 by the user. In additionto the holding function the clip more importantly is also used toprotract and retract the writing point. By the structure of the upperportion 44 of the clip 33 as shown in the drawings we are able toprovide both resiliency to the clip and protraction means.

The top of the clip is formed of a clip cover 61 which is an extensionof the face 53 of the clip. Except for the bead 49, the remainingelements of the clip are formed from the side walls thereof and even aportion of the bead, as illustrated, is likewise so formed. Immediatelybelow the clip top there are a pair of upper lugs 62 which are separatedfrom the members 57 by means of a cut 63. The deep end of said cut isrounded. Such cut serves to add flexibility to its surrounding portionof the clip. The upper side walls 62 fit snugly but movably in thecavity 43 made at the top of the cap 32.

Such cavity 43 is defined by an upper surface 64, a back surface 65, abottom 66 and side walls 67a and 67b. The first three mentioned surfacesare flat, or substantially so, whereas the side walls have a relativelyoutward section 67a which is flat and a more inward section 67b whichtapers to join the back surface 65.

The top portion 44 of the clip is movably seated in the cavity 43. It isnoted that the top 61 of the clip is slightly curved. This constructionof the top 61 permits the clip to slide in and out of the cavity 43 asrequired.

The side walls 62 of the clip terminate in slightly inlwardly bent ends68, the outer surfaces of which ride against the tapered side walls 67bof the cavity 43. Such construction assists in providing resiliency tothe clip 43.

All of the foregoing structures should be considered next in conjunctionwith the operation of our present writing instrument. The firstfunction, a supplemental one, as briefly alluded to before, is to permitthe attachment of the pen to a pocket edge. For this purpose, the bead49 on the clip is slightly separated from its opposed cap surface. Sincethe entire clip may be considered as a pivoting member such separationand resulting outward rotation forces the side wall portion 62 to morefirmly press against the side walls 671) of the cavity and in fact uponconsiderable separation of the bead such lugs will be slightly forced toa greater depth into such cavity, and they are then slightly compressed.Thus, because of the tapered cavity back, there is built into the systemthe tendency for the side wall portions 62 to move outwardly and awayfrom such tapered portion to relieve the compression to the flat,untapered surface 67a thereof. Thus, when the bead is released it snapsback as the distension of the side wall portions 62 is relieved by theirmoving away from the tapered surfaces.

The cut 63 in the clip assures that only the side walls 62 flex.

The second and prime function of the clip is to protract and retract theWriting point 29. This action is illustrated in FIGURES l and 2. Inwardmovement of the bead 49 to its complete insertion causes downwardrotation of the hinge member 46. As this occurs the top 44 of the cliprotates outwardly. The hinge, in rotating downwardly displaces thewriting assembly 23 against the slight pressure of the biasing spring 36to cause the protraction of the point 29 to the exposed writingposition. This in itself is not enoughprovision must be made to lock theassembly in the writing position when the user removes the pressure uponthe bead after its full insertion against the hinge. Such locking makesuse of the biasing spring 36.

It is noted that the thicker side wall 40 of the cap has a dependentsurface 69. The surface 69 is so fabricated as to accept the bead and topermit the rotation of the hinge member 46. In the present writinginstruments the biasing spring 36 urges the ink cartridge upwardly inthe conventional manner. When the writing point is protracted the top ofthe cartridge presses against the underside of the hinge member which inturn, on its upper surface is then in close engagement with the fiatunderside of the clip bead. The force of the biasing spring is furthertransmitted through such adjacent structures whereby the top of the beadpresses against surface 69 to lock the instrument in the writingposition. It should be noted that the pivot point of the clip is suchthat the urging of the biasing spring serves to lock the device moresecurely.

It should be noted that in order to lock the present devices in theprotracted position, pressure by the clip bead on the surface 69 isunnecessary. The fulcrum 51 of the clip is so positioned that lookingautomatically takes place.

Point retraction is brought about by slight inward movement of the top44 of the clip. By this surface '61 of the clip, the top glides undersurface 64 of the cavity 43 and concurrently the bead is returned to theposition shown in FIGURE 1. As the bead moves outwardly about its pivotpoint 51 and with the biasing spring 36 urging the assembly 23 to anupward movement, the hinge 46 rotates counter-clockwise to return to itsposition at retraction as shown in FIGURE 1.

In fabricating these devices a number of different materials can beused. The writing assembly 23 and barrel 31 are substantiallyconventional and their material is not particularly critical. The clip33 in the preferred embodiment hereof is made of springy sheet metalstock.

We prefer to mold the cap 33 of polypropylene or other equivalentplastic. This provides good flexural features to the integral hinge 46and at the same time permits the integral mounting means 45 to be cutinto by the dimples 51 on the clip. The polypropylene may besubsequently coated as desired by the manufacturer of the device. In thealternative the cap may be made of metal and the clip mounting meansattached thereto in known manner.

We also wish to note, as alluded to above, that the clip may be rockablymounted on the cap by means other than the locking dimples 51. Forexample an axle member may be substituted in lieu thereof. This lattermeans, since it requires an additional part and an additional assemblystep is not quite as desirable from our viewpoint as is the use of thedescribed dimple means.

Furthermore, the hinge member 46 may be fabricated as an elementseparate from the cap (in addition to the hinge element shown in FIGURE15 discussed below) and rotatably affixed to the cap by an axle memberbut this too would require additional components and assembly steps. Theadvantage here however, is that the nonintegral hinge permits the capand hinge to be made of metal rather than plastic, or of differentplastics rather than polypropylene.

Another embodiment of our invention is illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7.Here the one piece clip 73 fits into a longitudinal slot formed on oneside of the cap 74. Paired lateral small extensions 75a and b (external)and 76a and b (internal) on the clip lock the clip in place in saidslot. The unitary clip is preferably molded of a suitable plastic suchas polypropylene, although metal may of course be used, and has a bead77 formed on the detached end thereof. A hinge member 49 is molded aspart of said cap 74, with the hinge member and bead functioning exactlyin the same manner as described above. A simple slot 78 receives theupper arm 79 of the clip for writing assembly retraction purposes. Ashoulder stop 80 is formed on the underside of the cap top 81 to keepthe upper arm 79 from moving too far into the slot upon retraction ofthe writing assembly and to add some degree of resiliency to the clipwhen it is used for pocket edge attachment purposes.

In this embodiment a wall portion 73a extends substantially throughoutthe length of the slot while leaving adequate clearance for the bead andtop portion 78. The clip is formed integral with said wall portion.

A further embodiment of our invention is shown in FIGURE 8. Here theclip 82 is attached to the cap 83 by means of a button stem 84. The clipis rockably mounted and operates in the same manner as the devicesdiscussed above, i.e., the clip bead 85 coacts with the hinge member 86to protract the writing instrument point. A cavity 87 receives a portionof the upper arm 88 of the clip likewise to provide both retraction andresiliency to the clip. In this embodiment there is made a thickenedwall portion 89 of the cap and the button stern for clip attachmentextends outwardly therefrom. A hole is formed in the clip for apress-fit assembly under the button 84a. In this case the cap ispreferably molded in one piece of a plastic material such aspolypropylene and the clip may be made of a suitable springy metal orplastic.

In such embodiment the cavity 87 is curved inwardly as illustrated andits lower slanted surface terminates at the button stem 84. The topportion 90 of upper arm 88 is bent inwardly to ride against the top ofthe cavity and has at its end a slightly curved protuberance 91. Thisstructure of the upper arm component of the clip acting upon the curvedsurface of the cavity assists in providing clip resiliency for pocketattachment or the like. As the bead is moved outwardly for such purposethe upper arm glides further into the cavity and as it goes in it meetsfurther resistance from the cavity wall. This resistance then tends toforce the upper arm outward which in turn presses the bead end againstthe clip wall.

Still a further embodiment of our invention is shown in FIGURE 9. Herethe clip 92 with the bead 93 at the lower end thereof is affixed to thecap 94 by means of a pair of internal buttons 95. In this embodiment aportion 96 of the cap wall becomes the pivot member for the clip. Asillustrated in section there is a slot 97 in the cap just above thetopmost part of the clip. Such slot continues in a U- shape around andto the sides of the clip to form a flap which may pivot inwardly above agroove 98 on the cap wall just below the lower button 95. The cap ispreferably made of plastic such as polypropylene although conceivably aspringy metal could also be used. The clip is preferably made ofresilient metal or plastic.

The flap portion 96 of the cap has two holes running through it for thestems 99 directed inwardly from the top portion of the clip which stemsterminate in the buttons 95 to lock the clip onto the cap. Preferablythis is a pressfit. The buttons are formed by application of heat to theplastic-like a rivet head or any similar manner used in the art.

As the head 93 is separated from the cap wall for attachment purposesthe flap 96 pivots slightly inwardly as shown in the dotted lines of thedrawing in the bore 100 of the cap. By using material such aspolypropylene a certain amount of material resiliency can be made use ofto return the clip bead to its normal position pressing against theoutside of the clip wall.

When one wishes to protract the pen point the bead is inserted to rotatethe hinge member just as is the case in the previously describedembodiments hereof. As this occurs the flap 96 rotates to its normalposition about pivot point 98. To retract the writing point one merelypresses the top area of the clip slightly inward to start the head '93outward (and the hinge rotating upward) to return to the retractedposition.

Another modification of our invention is illustrated in FIGURE 10. As isknown in this art ball-point pen cartridges and particularly the inkreservoirs thereof are made in a variety of diameters. It is furtherknown that such cartridges are normally constructed to provide for theplacement of the biasing spring as illustated in FIGURES l and 2. Inthat embodiment hereof illustrated in FIG- URE l0, provision is made tomake use of cartridges of considerably lesser outside diameter than theinner diameter of the instrument bore and to have the biasing springpositioned about the upper portion of the cartridge rather than below itas is done in presently available devices. With such smaller diametercartridges structural features must be added to assure that suchcartridges are centered and properly actuated by the hinge member.

In such FIGURE 10 there is shown the threadedly mated cap 32 and barrel31. There is also the hinge member 46 and bead 49 of a clip 33 (notshown). This writing instrument is in the point protracted position asis evidenced by the insertion of the bead into the bore of the cap. Thenumeral 101 denotes the ink cartridge. A pair of cars 103 is formedabout the cartridge, as shown. An annular internal shoulder 104 isprovided within the barrel 31. The biasing spring 105, preferably ofconical shape, surrounds a portion of the cartridge and is compressiblebetween the ears 103 and shoulder 104. The ears serve as a shoulder.

In said drawing the spring is compressed and the writing assembly is inthe protracted position. As the clip head 49 is moved outwardly thehinge 46 rotates clockwise and the cartridge 101 moves upwardly toretract the writing point. Concurrently the spring expands upwardly incontact with the ears 103 to urge the writing assembly into theretracted position and center the cartridge. The conical spring centersthe cartridge.

Another modification to permit the centering of small diametercartridges is illustrated in FIGURE 11. In this configuration the usualbiasing spring at the tip end of the cartridge is employed. Here weprovide a connector 106 in the cap 32 which centers the cartridge 101and unites the cap with the barrel. Such connector, circular incross-section, has a threaded portion 107 which pressfits in the innerwalls of the cap and terminates in a dependent portion 108. An uppernarrow central passage 109 for the cartridge is provided in such insertto keep the cartridge centered.

Another embodiment of a clip and cap construction for use in the presentdevices is shown in FIGURES 12 and 13. Here the cap 31 has moldedthereon a tongue member 110 upon which the clip '111 is rockablymounted. An upper cavity 112 is formed in the cap to receive the upperportion 113 of such clip. The bottom of the clip, i.e., from its pointof attachment on the cap through the bead 49 is the same as has beenpreviously described. However, at its point of attachment to the cap theclip is so flanged as to tightly fit around and engage the tongue 110.This is most clearly illustrated in FIGURE 13 where it is seen that suchtongue fits within a slot formed by the internal flange pairs 114- and115 formed on the clip. Such flange pairs closely engage such tongue toprovide for mounting the clip on the cap.

The cap 31 is preferably formed of polypropylene or the like and as aresult the tongue 110 is somewhat flexible and at its point ofattachment to the main body of the cap is free to flex moderatelywhereby pivotal motion of the clip about such a fulcrum is permitted.

Except for the internal slotted structure of the clip, above described,such clip is quite similar to that shown in FIGURE 5 and functions inthe same manner. Again, preferably such clip is made of resilient sheetmetal stock. To assist in providing the appropriate springiness the topportion of the clip ends in a detached curved arm 214 which is insliding engagement with the slanted upper wall 215 of the cavity 112formed in the upper portion of the cap. As the clip bead 49 is pivotedoutwardly such finger 214 rides against the wall portion 215 and willbend to finally stop at the inner portion 116 of the said cavity. Whenthe bead is released it snaps back into place alongside the cap wall asthe structure of said cavity forces said finger 2'14 outwardly.

Still another embodiment of the present device is illustrated in FIGURES15 through 17. In such embodiment instead of fabricating the hingemember 46 as either an integral part of the cap wall or in thealternative being pivotally mounted thereon, we make use of an insertmember 1121 at the upper portion of which the hinged member 46 isformed. Such insertion, of circular crosssection when employed in around pen, has a central bore 122 through which the cartridge 123passes. Extending upwardly from the head of said insertion is aconnecting member 124 on which the hinge member 46 is fabricated and isrotatably attached. Such insert is locked in place in the cap by meansof an internal semi-annular shoulder @125 or press-fits in a metal capto a predetermined depth.

By using such an insert we are able to more readily employ a thinner,uniform walled cap than has been illustrated with the previouslydescribed devices. The operation, namely of protraction and retractionis exactly the same as previously described. The clip 126 is attached bymeans of a bayonet 127 which fits through a hole in the cap wall andthen spreads slightly for locking engagement thereon as shown in FIGURE17. An upper slot is provided for insertion of the resilient finger 1 28to assist in providing springiness for the cap, again as described forFIGURES 8 and 12.

Our device may also be employed in conjunction with a flat pen, i.e., apen which is not round but in crosssection provides either an oval orrectangular appearance. This is illustrated in part in FIGURE 14. Herein order to permit the rotation of the hinge 49 upon impression of theclip bead 46 a window @131 is fabricated on the clip wall at a pointopposite to the clip bead to permit the hinge rotation therein. Here thehinge is of somewhat different shape.

It will be understood that various modifications and variations may beeffected without departing from the spirit or scope of the novelconcepts of our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A clip for a writing instrument comprising: a relatively long,slightly curved, flexible, pivot arm of substantially 'U-shapedcross-section; a bead member positioned at one end of said pivot armextending in the direction from the concave surface thereof; means forrockably mounting said clip on a writing instrument, such means beingpositioned on said clip intermediate the ends thereof, said meanscomprising extensions of generally rectangular shape from the side wallsof said clip in a direction extending from the concave surface thereof,and resilient means integral with said pivot arm at the end of saidpivot arm opposite said bead said resilient means comprising a pair ofresilient lugs spring biasing said clip upon cooperation with a taperedslot in a writing instrument.

2. The clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching saidclip to such writing instrument have rockable attachment membersextending laterally thereof.

3. The clip as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching saidclip to such writing instrument have rockable attachment membersextending internally thereof.

4. A clip for a writing instrument comprising: a relatively long,slightly curved, flexible pivot arm; a bead member positioned at one endof said pivot arm extending in the direction from the concave surfacethereof; integral stem means for rockably mounting said clip on awriting instrument, such means being positioned on said clipintermediate the ends thereof, and resilient means integral with saidpivot arm at the end of said pivot arm opposite said bead said resilientmeans comprising a pair of resilient lugs spring biasing said clip uponcooperation with a tapered slot in a writing instrument.

5. In a writing instrument comprising in combination an elongated hollowholder having an opening at one end, an elongated writing unitlongitudinally movable within said holder between a protracted andretracted position, biasing means in said holder urging said writingassembly from said protracted to said retracted positions, hingedactuating means movable inwardly of said holder to urge said writingunit into said protracted position and means for applying a rotationalforce to said hinged actuating means, said latter means comprising aclip member rockably mounted on said holder in juxtaposition with saidhinged actuating means, said clip being spring rockably mounted on saidcap, said clip being defined in claim 1.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,085,174 l/l9=14 Shearer 24-111,339,359 5/1920 Kritikson 24-11 1,344,897 6/1920 Johnson.

1,350,412 8/1920 La France et a1 24-11 1,783,736 12/1930 Marshall 24-111,808,045 6/1931 Krause 24-11 2,488,114 11/1949 Bauer 24-11 2,488,63911/1949' 'OConnor -4203 2,881,736 4/1949 Zepelovitch 120-4203 X2,988,055 6/1961 Platt 120-4203 3,071,112 1/1963' 'Lovejoy et a1120-4203 3,142,734 12/1963 Zepell 120-4203 3,127,656 4/ 1964 Schwabe etal 24-246 3,130,710 4/1964 Hansen et al 120-4203 3,200,792 8/1965 Zepell120-4203 FOREIGN PATENTS 942,969 5/ 1956 Germany.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. DONA D A. GRIFFIN, Examiner.

1. A CLIP FOR A WRITING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING: A RELATIVELY LONG,SLIGHTLY CURVED, FLEXIBLE, PIVOT ARM OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPEDCROSS-SECTION; A BEAD MEMBER POSITIONED AT ONE END OF SAID PIVOT ARMEXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION FROM THE CONCAVE SURFACE THEREOF; MEANS FORROCKABLY MOUNTING SAID CLIP ON A WRITING INSTRUMENT, SUCH MEANS BEINGPOSITIONED ON SAID CLIP INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF, SAID MEANSCOMPRISING EXTENSIONS OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPED FROM THE SIDEWALLS OF SAID CLIP IN A DIRECTION EXTENDING FROM THE CONCAVE SURFACETHEREOF, AND RESILIENT MEANS INTEGRAL WITH SAID PIVOT ARM AT THE END